0.9 m x 0.9 m pilot wind tunnel

The 0.9 m x 0.9 m pilot wind tunnel was originally a 1/10th scale model of the NRC 9 m x 9 m wind tunnel and has for several decades served the research and industrial communities. The facility is also used by students from local universities in support of final-year projects.

The relatively small size of the facility enables it to be used for prototype development of capabilities which can be later integrated into NRC’s 9 m x 9 m and 2 m x 3 m wind tunnels. A recent example is the moving-ground plane which is of interest to clients in the aerospace and automotive sectors. For this work, the facility was reconfigured as a 3/4-open jet. With a belt speed of 40 m/s and belt width of 0.8 m, the facility is ideally suited for 1:6-scale surface vehicle aerodynamic research for which proper simulation of the vehicle underbody flow is a requirement. The system can be configured with a wide belt (vehicle wheels on outriggers) and internal balance, or with a narrow belt between the wheels (wheels on rollers) and an under floor balance. A secure control room is integrated with the facility.

The facility is also used to calibrate a wide range of flow-measurement equipment for commercial and public sector clients.